Carpet fastener strip



July 4, 1961 D. s. ATWOOD 2,990,565

CARPET FASTENER STRIP Filed July 28, 1959 FIG; 1

A M A" 1 A-"H LA" A -l' INV EN TOR.

Paris 6'. A zwoocl fliforney United tates Patent 2,990,565 CARPETFASTENER STRIP Doris S. Atwood, 1223 Mayfair Road, Arlington Heights,111. Filed July 28, 1959, 'Ser. No. 830,132 2 Claims. (Cl. 16-6) Thisinvention relates to carpet fastener strip and particularly to metalstrip for holding down the edge of carpeting on floors.

It is well known that conventional carpeting requires means formaintaining the edges of the carpet in position against the wall so thatthe carpeting is at all times stretched out in a smooth condition.Various means for accomplishing this have been suggested. In mostinstances, such means involve the use of relatively complicated metalstrip which cannot readily be positioned in place. Most finishingoperations require at least two workmen and involve considerable time.

This invention provides a simple, metal strip material which can bemanufactured cheaply in indefinite lengths. The new strip may be easilyused by any person, does not require any particular skill, and functionsto lock the edge of the carpet in position. The tools required aresimple in the extreme and as a rule involve only the use of a hammer andscrewdriver.

In order that the invention may be understood it will be explained inconnection with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of a strip embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the new strip showing it in position.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view.

The metal strip embodying the present invention may be made of anysuitable metal such as brass, stainless steel, galvanized or leaded ironor aluminum. Aluminum is particularly desirable since it is soft and maybe readily cut with shears. The new strip comprises body having rearedge 11 bent upwardly (away from the floor in the normal position of thestrip) to form a flange which extends into the bottom or back face of acarpet.

Body 10 has rib 13 preferably extending upwardly from the floor in thenormal position of the strip. From rib 13 the metal extends forwardly toform a series of generally triangular teeth 15 whose top face 16 isprovided with serrations 17. Serrations 17 are pitched as illustrated sothat the teeth may move forwardly in the space between a floor andmolding, but will lock against withdrawal. Serrations 17 are relativelyfine. Tip 18 of each tooth is tapered both in plan and in section to asharp point.

The angle formed by the sides of each tooth 15 is not important and mayvary within limits. In general, in order to have each tooth 15 as sharpas possible, about 60 at the tip of each tooth can be provided. Withheavier gauge metal or with metal which is relatively strong, such asgalvanized iron or stainless steel, teeth 15 can be blunter than shown.

As a rule, serrations 17 will be in line. Each tooth Patented July 4,1961 '15 preferably has the base thereof at rib 13. Thus, the stifieningimparted to the construction by rib 13 will permit the teeth to bedriven in underneath the molding of a wall up to rib 13.

Body 10 of the strip is provided with a plurality of barbs or spurs 20and 21 extending upwardly from the top face of the strip. As illustratedhere, barbs 20 extend along one row in the body of the strip while barbs21 extend along another row. Barbs 21 are staggered with respect tobarbs 20. Thus, as illustrated, each barb 20 is substantially in linewith the tip of each tooth 15. Barb 21 is substantially in line withmeeting point 22 at the base of two adjacent teeth. This arrangementtends to strengthen the entire metal strip.

Barbs 20 and 21 are formed to provide generally triangular spurs withthe metal thickness and width tapering down as illustrated in FIGURE 3.Barbs 20 and 21 are long enough to bite into any carpet. As illustrated,barbs 20 and 21 are bent at an angle normally to extend upwardly andforwardly of the strip.

A strip is put into position for hammering into the space below thefloor molding. The serrated faces of the teeth will engage the molding.Thus strips will be around the edge of the floor. Rib 13 will act as astop to limit the travel of the teeth under the molding. Then the edgeof the carpet will be stretched to go over the exposed part of a strip.This will be body 10 and rear edge 11. The barbs will be below thecarpet.

Barbs 20 and 21 will be short enough so that the carpeting will coverthem. However, they may be made quite long and hammered down into thepile or top part of the carpet after installation.

What is claimed is:

1. A carpet fastener strip comprising a flat strip of metal having onelong side thereof shaped to provide coarse pointed teeth projecting inthe plane of the strip, said teeth having the top surfaces thereofserrated, the serrations extending longitudinally of the strip and beingso pitched that the serrations tend to lock upon withdrawal of theteeth, the strip having the remaining long side bent to form a flange,whose free edge is above the top face of said strip, a rib formed insaid strip extending lengthwise thereof laterally away from the topface, said rib defining the base of the teeth and barbs on said stripextending above the top face of said strip between the flanged edge andrib for engaging carpeting disposed above the top face of said strip.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said barbs are disposedin two rows along the length of the strip, the barbs in one row beingdisposed opposite the tips of the teeth While the barbs in the other roware disposed opposite the junction between two adjacent teeth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS665,855 Warner Jan. 8, 1901 1,847,373 Awbrey Mar. 1, 1932 2,670,494Owens Mar. 2, 1954

